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Alumni Awards

Each year, the McMurry University Alumni Association proudly hosts the Night of Distinction to celebrate alums who are making an impact in their professions, communities, and the world. This special event honors graduates whose lives and achievements reflect McMurry’s core values of Learning, Excellence, and Service.

 

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 1971, is the highest honor presented by the McMurry University Alumni Association. This prestigious award recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their profession, their communities, and to McMurry University.

Ms. Melody Hunt ’79

Melody Hunt

Melody is a class of 1979 alumnus of McMurry. Melody is the president of Hunt Direct Marketing, Inc., which she founded in 2005. Hunt Direct Marketing, Inc., is a marketing firm that specializes in the Broadway and performing arts community. Before founding Hunt Direct Marketing, Inc., she was the president and COO of Target Solutions, a Colorado-based arts consulting company, as well as many other arts-related companies.

Melody is a long-time supporter of McMurry, serving on the Board of Visitors and the Board of Trustees. Melody has been an active attendee of McMurry events and has served on the Women’s Luncheon planning committee since its inception in 2014. She is a leader and has strongly supported the growth efforts of the luncheon and endowment, awarding scholarships to deserving McMurry female students. Melody also established the Melody Hunt Endowed Scholarship in April 2010 to provide financial assistance to non-traditional students.

Along with her service to McMurry in many areas, Melody is a leader in the Abilene community, serving on the Community Foundation of Abilene board, the Abilene Heritage Square Executive Committee, the Abilene Education Foundation, and Global Samaritan Resources.

*Indicates recipient is deceased.

Shannon Sedgwick Davis ’96 2024
Doug Wofford ’77 2023
Terry Wheeler ’85 2022
Judge Jorge A. Solis ’73* 2021
Paul E. Stubbs ’61 2020
Ralph McCleskey ’65 2019
Arthur Pertile, III ’83 2018
Weldon S. Crowley ’57 2016
Roger W. Ward ’67 2015
Richard Max Wynn ’80 2014
Don E. Cain ’76 2013
K.O. Long ’70 2012
Jerry D. Campbell ’68 2011
Chuck M. Fallon ’85 2010
Stephen K. Mittelstet ’67 2009
Pug Parris ’73 2009
Joe Bill Fox ’56 2008
Mable F. Phillips ’34* 2008
Gene M. Tucker ’57 2008
Holland B. Evans ’66 2007
Jack Darnell ’55 2006
Ralph J. Turner ’74 2006
Bynum W. Miers ’59 2005
Wendell M. Tooley ’49* 2005
Bervin O. Caswell ’38* 2004
Dan E. Solomon ’58 2004
Mary Esther Bynum ’52 2003
Richard Cyril Stone ’46* 2003
Phil T. Brewer ’76* 2002
C. Girvin Harkins ’60 2001
Richard N. Countiss ’58 2000
Sam B. Smith ’66 2000
Shirley Ann Wagley ’57* 1999
Grant G. Teaff ’56 1998
Kenneth Day ’43* 1997
Howard L. Green ’43* 1996
Hershel E. Kimbrell ’50 1995
Alex Bickley ex ’38* 1994
Ed N. Wishcamper ’38* 1994
Holland Hope ’40* 1993
Jere M. Lawrence ’54* 1993
William A. Hunt    ’29* 1992
Sarah Ragle Weddington ’64 1992
Don Campbell ’59* 1991
Paul D. Lack ’66 1991
William A. Ward ’48* 1990
Faye Bryant White ’48* 1990
Jerald D. Lee ’61* 1989
Marshall D. Turnbull ’46* 1989
Verdain Barnes ’58 1988
Walter Morris Baker ’63 1987
Eldon B. Mahon ’42* 1987
Canon Bradley ’62 1986
Noel Bryant ’36* 1986
Kenneth J. Wyatt ’54 1986
Alsie H. Carleton ’33* 1985
Rigdon Edwards ’31* 1985
William S. Hotchkiss ’35* 1985
Raymon L. Bynum ’50* 1984
Willmon L. White ’53 1984
James E. Kirby ’54 1983
Neil Daniel ’39* 1982
Dan W. Dodson ’31* 1982
Bill M. Ellington ’43* 1980
Roy B. Shilling ’51 1980
Jewell Posey 1977
Wilma Jane Huddleston ’58 1977
William A. Cantrell ’40* 1976
Ralph L. Mills ’49 1976
Thomas H. Greer ’38* 1975
Ashley D. Jameson ’39* 1975
Joe E. Boyd ex ’32 1974
Josephine Crutchfield ’37* 1974
Vernon G. Spence ’46* 1974
C.E. Sonny Bentley ex ’42 1971

Young Alumni Achievement Award

The Young Alumni Achievement Award (formerly the Spirit of McMurry Award), established in 2011 by the McMurry University Alumni Association, recognizes alumni who graduated within the past 20 years and have demonstrated excellence in their profession, service to their community, and dedication to McMurry University.

Dr. Danni McMahan ’14

Dr. Danni McMahan

Before entering McMurry University, Danni McMahan’s life was critically altered while in high school after a hiking accident, falling 200 feet to a jungle floor that left her paralyzed from the chest down. Danni McMahan went on to pursue a degree and graduated from McMurry in 2014 with a BS in Biochemistry, earning multiple awards in Chemistry along the way. She went on to get her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Texas Tech University.

After multiple residencies with the Department of Veterans Affairs, she took a job serving veterans, specifically with spinal cord injuries, giving her expertise to a field where she has personally been affected, and can help them both pharmaceutically and emotionally deal with symptoms from their injuries. She works closely with students during their clinical rotations and serves as the chief pharmacist at the North Texas VA Spinal Cord Injury Unit. She is also an assistant clinical instructor at TTUHCS School of Pharmacy.

Karl Scott ’07 2024
Chad Harris, DVM ’03 2023
Matthew Armbruster ’07 2022
Hunter Sims ’07 2021
Shawn Martin ’99 2020
GaBrielle Mallet ’05 2019
Dr. Ryan Higley ’03 2018
Chris N. Montoya ’00 2016
Clayton P. Bulls ’95 2015
Steven C. Bristow ’96 2014
Colby Stone ’97 2013
Lon Outland ’93 2012
JoLisa K. Hoover ’92 2012
Kay L. Younggren ’02 2011
Shannon Sedgwick Davis ’96 2011

 

Ann Spence

Ann Spence Servant Leadership Award

The Servant Leadership Award honors a McMurry graduate who exemplifies servant leadership by inspiring others to reach their potential and achieve a shared vision. These leaders guide with their head, heart, and hands, demonstrating confidence, courage in decision-making, trustworthiness, and a commitment to empowering others. Above all, they place the needs of others before their own while helping others succeed.

JoLisa Hoover ‘92

JoLisa Hoover

JoLisa Hoover ’92 is a graduate of McMurry University and received her master’s degree from Texas A&M University in Educational Psychology in 1997. With her education, she has served students as a teacher and at-risk learning specialist, as a Classroom Teaching Ambassador Fellow for the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and as a Teach Plus Senior Texas Fellow in Austin, Texas. JoLisa has also served as the Regional and Senior Advocacy Director for Central Texas. Currently, JoLisa is a Teacher Specialist for Raise Your Hand Texas. She draws on her classroom and education system experience to serve as a spokesperson for the issues facing our teachers. JoLisa fights for all teachers and helps provide insight to share policy in D.C. and now in Texas.

JoLisa has a long history of giving to McMurry, as she is a member of the President’s Council. She is an active event attendee, has served on the Board of Trustees, and is currently serving on the Board of Visitors. She has also served as board chair of the AABOD and the Servant Leadership Council. JoLisa has received the Spirit of McMurry Award, now named the Young Alumnus Award.

Honorary Alumni Award

Established in 2023, the Honorary Alumni Award is presented by the McMurry University Alumni Association to individuals (non alumnus) who have displayed exceptional interest, dedication, and/or service to the University, and have made a positive impact on the McMurry community. It is presented to a person who is not an alumnus of McMurry University, but who has earned this recognition and honor through loyalty, service, and support of the University.

Kathi and Murray Edwards

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards

Kathi and Murray Edwards, longtime supporters of McMurry University, have been instrumental in the university’s growth with their philanthropic and service efforts. Kathi has served on the Board of Trustees since 2017 and is the current board chair. She has also served in other board roles, as well as co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee, which selected Dr. Lynne Murray as McMurry’s 12th President. Kathi is a retired Hendrick Hospice Care Chaplain and serves as a United Methodist Deaconess.

The Edwards Field (softball) was made possible by the generous donation from Kathi and Murray in 2019. They were also honored in the McMurry Hall of Honor, Class of 2021, receiving the Bob and Clara Brown Award. They are also members of the Jay Society for their generosity.

Dr. Sandra S. Harper 2023

Outstanding Alumni Awards

Established in 2017, these awards recognize McMurry alumni who have made a significant impact in their profession and community through achievement and service. Honors are presented in the fields of Business, Education, Fine Arts, Math & Sciences, and Humanities, Religion & Social Sciences.

Dr. Sarah Graham
Dr. Sara Graham ’63 – Business

Rogelio Garcia
Rogelio Garcia ’98 – Education

Brian Hecimovich
Brian Hecimovich ’08 – Fine Arts

Dr. Rick Quy
Dr. Rick Quy ’70 – Math & the Sciences

Kristina Jones
Kristina Jones ’92 – Religious & Spiritual Life

2024

Bramer Owens ’03 Business
Dr. Hope Pamplin ’01 Education
George Levesque ’96 Fine Arts
Marcus Ramage ’65 Math & Sciences
Heather Gates ’04 Religious & Spiritual Life

2023

Gaylene Taylor ’60 Business
Dr. John E. Chapman, III ’96 Education
Lenworth McIntosh ’09 Fine Arts
Alan C. Howell, MD ’95 Math & Sciences
Rev. Dr. Helen Neinast ’75 Religious & Spiritual Life

2022

Paul Williams ’85  Business
Carly Kahl ’98  Education
John Landin ’09  Fine Arts
David Carver ’74  Math & the Sciences
Tim Kennedy ’99  Religious & Spiritual Life

2021

Leslie Chalmers ’99  Business
Rory Peacock ’01  Education
Tom Turner ’01  Fine Arts
Aletha Lizette Williams ’04  Math & the Sciences
Rev. Zachary Harrison Kerzee ’11  Religious & Spiritual Life

2020

Rochelle McSherry Johnson ’86  Business
Don Taylor ’56  Education
Sarah Sheppard Shaver ’02  Fine Arts
Tyler McCracken ’08  Math & the Sciences
Sara von Ende Orr ’93  Religious & Spiritual Life

2019

Jason Rodriguez ’00  Business
Vernon D. Asbill ’69  Education
Cheyenne Cruz ’09  Fine Arts
A. Ray Hamilton ’66  Math & the Sciences
Bishop James G. Nunn ’79  Religious & Spiritual Life

2018

Jimmy Stallings ’50  Business
Joey Light ’82  Education
Brady Nichols Sloane ’04  Fine Arts
Jennifer Codding-Bui ’06  Math & the Sciences
Rev. Karen Greenwaldt ’73  Religious & Spiritual Life

Know an alum who is making a difference?

Nominate an outstanding McMurry alum whose achievements and service reflect the values of Learning, Excellence, and Service.